Real Life Real Crime – “True Crime Time For December 31, 2025: New Year’s Eve Crimes, Holiday Traditions & Staying Safe”

Main Theme / Purpose

In this year-end episode, Woody and Cindy Overton dive into the dark—and sometimes bizarre—side of New Year’s Eve, exploring infamous crimes that occurred around the holiday worldwide. Balancing grim tales with their signature offbeat humor, they reflect on personal traditions, offer safety tips for listeners, and close out 2025 with candid reflections and classic Southern storytelling.

Episode Structure & Highlights

Reflections on the Year & Personal Updates

• Woody and Cindy recount 2025 as a “wild year,” marked by both professional achievements and personal tragedies, including Woody’s father’s passing, kids’ graduations, buying a new home, and active involvement in various justice advocacy cases (Justice for Bradley, #JusticeForHaley).
  • “It’s been really, really, really great, and it’s been really, really, really bad...one end of the spectrum to the other for us.” – Woody (04:00)
• Mention of milestones:
  • National attention brought to cold cases, particularly Haley’s, leading to reinvestigation.
  • “We did a great live Southeastern...for their 100th year anniversary.” – Woody (05:05)
• They express gratitude and hope for a better 2026.

Notable New Year’s Eve Crime Stories

1. Westminster Police Officer Dragged (Worldwide Crime Segment)

[05:41–07:40]

• Incident overview: In Westminster, a police officer was dragged by a vehicle during a confrontation in a parking lot. The suspects, twin brothers Nicholas and Richard Rodriguez (both 42; both with multiple warrants), were apprehended after a short pursuit.
• Officer suffered minor injuries.
• “I mean, people still cop cars everywhere, I guess, and it just is never going to end well for you.” – Woody (07:40)

2. Manhattan Jewelry Heist, 2016

[08:10–11:11]

• On New Year’s Eve 2016, while Times Square’s ball drop distracted crowds (and 7,000 cops), a crew robbed a nearby jewelry wholesaler (Greg Ruth), stealing $6M in pink and yellow diamonds.
• Video footage didn’t result in immediate arrests; eventually, Demir Pisnick was caught after years and multiple heists totaling $24M. He received an 8-year sentence.
• “Million people right around you and just steal $6 million in diamonds.” – Woody (11:11)

3. Pennsylvania Assassination, 1969

[11:11–13:32]

• Three gunmen murdered labor leader Joseph Yablonski, his wife, and daughter—a union-ordered hit orchestrated by union president Tony Bull, who embezzled funds to pay hitmen.
• Bull died in prison.
• “Can you imagine? It’s like, fuck him, just go kill him. He’s speaking out against us.” – Woody (12:25)

4. Amazon Cash Grab – New Delhi

[13:56–15:34]

• Former warehouse guards used insider knowledge (timing their heist during the 2am snack break on New Year’s Day) to rob an Amazon warehouse safe.
• Security cameras led to swift arrests.
• Takeaway: Don’t let all guards take snack breaks together.
• “Still, there’s an important lesson here: apparently Amazon warehouses have safe pools of cash rather than just handling all payments electronically.” – Woody (15:08)

5. New Orleans Spree, 1972

[15:34–19:21]

• Mark Essex’s racist shooting spree began on New Year’s Eve, targeting police and white residents, resulting in murders and a city-wide manhunt.
• The chaos led to the manhunt being called off after officers were met with gunfire from residents; Essex was killed in a later standoff.
• “They took a step that'll blow everybody’s mind. They called off the manhunt because they were getting shot at.” – Woody (17:50)

6. Moscow Red Square Bomb Plot, 2010

[20:28–22:14]

• A planned terrorist bombing during Moscow’s Red Square New Year’s Eve celebrations was thwarted when the bomber’s phone, rigged to the explosives, received a text message from the phone company and detonated early, killing only the bomber.
• “They discovered the message that set the phone off had been sent. It was a text sent by the phone company.” – Woody (22:07)
• Cindy’s reaction: “I hate to say it, but good, right?” (22:14)

7. Recent & Historic Large-Scale Attacks

• New Orleans truck attack, 2025: ISIS-linked U.S. Army veteran killed over a dozen people in the French Quarter.
• 2015/2016 Cologne, Germany: Groups assaulted 1200 people.
  • “How do you gather 1,200 men and say, okay y'all, we’re gonna go rape 1,200 men?” – Cindy (25:18)
• 1950 Boston Brinks robbery: Mafia-linked theft of $1.2M in cash/securities.
• Anna Walsh disappearance/murder, 2023.
• Narzak massacre, Greenland, 1980s.

Crime Trends & Safety Tips on New Year’s Eve

Does Crime Go Up? ([27:43–30:32])

• Yes: Altogether, New Year’s Eve sees increased incidents including:
  • DUI/DWI arrests (“most common night for arrests related to operating a vehicle under the influence” – Woody [27:55])
  • Assaults and batteries (alcohol-fueled disputes)
  • Public intoxication/disorderly conduct
  • Theft (especially pickpocketing in crowded areas)
    • “People grab your ass and grab your balls and stuff like that. But what they’re doing...they’re feeling for my wallet.” – Woody (29:09)
  • Drug offenses and increased rates of sexual assault in large crowds

Woody’s safety tip:

• Keep ID and valuables in front pockets (29:31)
• Use rideshare or public transit, plan ahead, and celebrate responsibly

New Year’s Eve Traditions – Personal & Global

[30:43–37:58]

• Woody & Cindy’s Southern food traditions: Black-eyed peas for luck, cabbage and greens for wealth, pork for prosperity, cornbread for “gold.”

  • “I want like 14 pots of cabbage.” – Woody (32:23)
  • “Pork is often consumed...because pigs root around with their snouts moving in a forward motion which symbolizes progress for the coming year.” – Cindy (36:53)

• Other traditions described:

  • Spain: 12 grapes at midnight for luck each month
    • “One grape per clock chime for luck in each month.” – Cindy (33:03)
  • Brazil: Wearing white, offering flowers to sea goddess
  • Japan: 108 bell rings for purifying desires
  • Philippines: Polka dots for wealth
  • Italy: Red underwear for love
  • Germany: Onion fortune-telling, leaping off chairs for luck
  • Colombia: Running with suitcases for travel/adventure

• Woody’s signature humor about traditions:

  • “At New Year’s, we mugging down...when the clock strikes 12 it’s time for ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and making out. We ain’t got time to eat no fucking grapes or stain.” (33:28)
  • “If you’re not fucked up enough to not be able to eat one grape per whatever…I mean…” (33:25)
  • On running with suitcases: “We’re gonna travel anyway. I don’t need to run down in the driveway with suitcase.” (34:21)

Closing & Listener Wishes

[38:22–39:20]

• Safety wishes:
  • “Be safe. Good Lord, be safe, please. I love to know that all lifers made it through safely and have fun. It’s supposed to be fun.” – Woody (38:22)
• Pinky swears and inside jokes about making out and singing “Auld Lang Syne.”

Memorable Moments / Quotes

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|------------------------------------------------------| | 04:00 | Woody | “It’s been really, really, really great, and it’s been really, really, really bad...” | | 08:13 | Woody | “Criminals have used the holidays as an excuse to commit terrible acts...I think they’re just dumbasses.” | | 12:25 | Woody | "Can you imagine? It’s like, fuck him, just go kill him. He’s speaking out against us." | | 22:07 | Woody | "They discovered the message that set the phone off had been sent. It was a text sent by the phone company." | | 25:18 | Cindy | “How do you gather 1,200 men and say, okay y'all, we’re gonna go rape 1,200 men?” | | 29:09 | Woody | “People grab your ass and grab your balls and stuff like that. But what they’re doing...they’re feeling for my wallet.” | | 32:23 | Woody | “I want like 14 pots of cabbage.” | | 33:28 | Woody | “At New Year’s, we mugging down...it’s time for Auld Lang Syne and making out. We ain’t got time to eat no fucking grapes or stain.” | | 38:22 | Woody | “Be safe. Good Lord, be safe, please. I love to know that all lifers made it through safely and have fun. It’s supposed to be fun.” |

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|-------------| | Banter & Reflections on 2025 | 02:15-05:41 | | Worldwide Crime: Westminster officer incident | 05:41-07:40 | | Famous New Year's Eve Heists/Crimes | 07:40-20:28 | | Moscow Red Square Bomb Plot | 20:28-22:14 | | Notable Large-Scale Attacks | 23:31-25:37 | | Crime Trends & Safety Advice | 27:43-30:32 | | Traditions – Food & Folklore | 30:43-37:58 | | Final Words & Safety Reminders | 38:01-39:20 |

Tone & Style

• Candid, unscripted, Southern banter
• Balances dark/crime reporting with levity and humor
• Offers personal experience and safety advice with a direct, conversational style
• Warm, familiar sign-off to close the year

For Listeners

Whether you tuned in for the crime stories, the laughs, or the relatable marital dynamic, this episode captures the essence of Woody and Cindy: informative, entertaining, and always authentic. Stay safe, celebrate responsibly, and don’t forget your black-eyed peas!

“Be safe. Good Lord, be safe, please...It’s supposed to be fun.” – Woody Overton [38:22]